IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v168y2021icp1344-1363.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Towards optimal aerodynamic design of wind catchers: Impact of geometrical characteristics

Author

Listed:
  • Alsailani, M.
  • Montazeri, H.
  • Rezaeiha, A.

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed parametric analysis of the impact of geometrical characteristics of wind catchers on their flow features to enhance the effectiveness of cross-ventilation strategies of buildings. The following geometrical characteristics are evaluated in detail: (i) ceiling tilt angle, (ii) radius of the outer-corner bend, (iii) leeward-side tilt angle, (iv) straight inlet extension length, (v) nozzle-shaped inlet extension radius, and (vi) radius of the inner-corner bend. In addition, the impact of using guide vanes in the bend of wind catchers is systematically investigated. High-resolution coupled (outdoor wind flow and indoor airflow) 3D steady RANS CFD simulations are performed for 40 different wind catcher geometries. The CFD simulations are based on a grid-sensitivity analysis and are validated by comparing with two wind-tunnel measurements. The results show that the use of straight and nozzle-shaped inlet extensions can significantly increase the airflow rate. The maximum increase is about 23%, which is achieved for the straight inlet extension length S/D = 1 (D is wind-catcher depth). Guide vanes are also found to effectively improve the flow uniformity inside wind catchers and significantly enhance the airflow rate. This enhancement can go up to 29% when guide vanes are implemented in combination with a straight inlet extension with S/D = 0.375. The results of the present study support the optimal aerodynamic design of wind catchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Alsailani, M. & Montazeri, H. & Rezaeiha, A., 2021. "Towards optimal aerodynamic design of wind catchers: Impact of geometrical characteristics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1344-1363.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:168:y:2021:i:c:p:1344-1363
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.12.053
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148120319790
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2020.12.053?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Chaudhry, Hassam Nasarullah & Ghani, Saud Abdul, 2013. "CFD analysis of a heat transfer device integrated wind tower system for hot and dry climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 576-591.
    2. Grant, Andrew & Johnstone, Cameron & Kelly, Nick, 2008. "Urban wind energy conversion: The potential of ducted turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1157-1163.
    3. Bouchahm, Yasmina & Bourbia, Fatiha & Belhamri, Azeddine, 2011. "Performance analysis and improvement of the use of wind tower in hot dry climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 898-906.
    4. Madjid Soltani & Alireza Dehghani-Sanij & Ahmad Sayadnia & Farshad M. Kashkooli & Kobra Gharali & SeyedBijan Mahbaz & Maurice B. Dusseault, 2018. "Investigation of Airflow Patterns in a New Design of Wind Tower with a Wetted Surface," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-23, April.
    5. Abolfazl Heidari & Sadra Sahebzadeh & Zahra Dalvand, 2017. "Natural Ventilation in Vernacular Architecture of Sistan, Iran; Classification and CFD Study of Compound Rooms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Calautit, John Kaiser & O’Connor, Dominic & Tien, Paige Wenbin & Wei, Shuangyu & Pantua, Conrad Allan Jay & Hughes, Ben, 2020. "Development of a natural ventilation windcatcher with passive heat recovery wheel for mild-cold climates: CFD and experimental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 465-482.
    7. Nouanégué, H.F. & Alandji, L.R. & Bilgen, E., 2008. "Numerical study of solar-wind tower systems for ventilation of dwellings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 434-443.
    8. Montazeri, H. & Montazeri, F. & Azizian, R. & Mostafavi, S., 2010. "Two-sided wind catcher performance evaluation using experimental, numerical and analytical modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1424-1435.
    9. Rezaeian, M. & Montazeri, H. & Loonen, R.C.G.M., 2017. "Science foresight using life-cycle analysis, text mining and clustering: A case study on natural ventilation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 270-280.
    10. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Shahzad, Sally Salome, 2015. "CFD and wind tunnel study of the performance of a uni-directional wind catcher with heat transfer devices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 85-99.
    11. Payam Nejat & Fatemeh Jomehzadeh & Hasanen Mohammed Hussen & John Kaiser Calautit & Muhd Zaimi Abd Majid, 2018. "Application of Wind as a Renewable Energy Source for Passive Cooling through Windcatchers Integrated with Wing Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, September.
    12. Kang, Daeho & Strand, Richard K., 2016. "Significance of parameters affecting the performance of a passive down-draft evaporative cooling (PDEC) tower with a spray system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 269-280.
    13. Montazeri, H. & Montazeri, F., 2018. "CFD simulation of cross-ventilation in buildings using rooftop wind-catchers: Impact of outlet openings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 502-520.
    14. Bahadori, M.N. & Mazidi, M. & Dehghani, A.R., 2008. "Experimental investigation of new designs of wind towers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 2273-2281.
    15. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Montazeri, Hamid & Blocken, Bert, 2018. "Towards optimal aerodynamic design of vertical axis wind turbines: Impact of solidity and number of blades," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1129-1148.
    16. Dehghani-sanij, A.R. & Soltani, M. & Raahemifar, K., 2015. "A new design of wind tower for passive ventilation in buildings to reduce energy consumption in windy regions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 182-195.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kuang, Limin & Su, Jie & Chen, Yaoran & Han, Zhaolong & Zhou, Dai & Zhang, Kai & Zhao, Yongsheng & Bao, Yan, 2022. "Wind-capture-accelerate device for performance improvement of vertical-axis wind turbines: External diffuser system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    2. Payam Nejat & Yashar Fekri & Mohammadamin Sheikhshahrokhdehkordi & Fatemeh Jomehzadeh & Hayder Alsaad & Conrad Voelker, 2024. "The Windcatcher: A Renewable-Energy-Powered Device for Natural Ventilation—The Impact of Upper Wing Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Montazeri, Hamid & Blocken, Bert & Wen, Chih-Yung & Yang, An-Shik, 2022. "CFD assessment of wind energy potential for generic high-rise buildings in close proximity: Impact of building arrangement and height," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    4. Kaseb, Z. & Montazeri, H., 2022. "Data-driven optimization of building-integrated ducted openings for wind energy harvesting: Sensitivity analysis of metamodels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    5. Ashraf Balabel & Mamdooh Alwetaishi & Wageeh A. El-Askary & Hamza Fawzy, 2021. "Numerical Study on Natural Ventilation Characteristics of a Partial-Cylinder Opening for One-Sided-Windcatcher of Variable Air-Feeding Orientations in Taif, Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ashraf Balabel & Mamdooh Alwetaishi & Wageeh A. El-Askary & Hamza Fawzy, 2021. "Numerical Study on Natural Ventilation Characteristics of a Partial-Cylinder Opening for One-Sided-Windcatcher of Variable Air-Feeding Orientations in Taif, Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Jomehzadeh, Fatemeh & Nejat, Payam & Calautit, John Kaiser & Yusof, Mohd Badruddin Mohd & Zaki, Sheikh Ahmad & Hughes, Ben Richard & Yazid, Muhammad Noor Afiq Witri Muhammad, 2017. "A review on windcatcher for passive cooling and natural ventilation in buildings, Part 1: Indoor air quality and thermal comfort assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 736-756.
    3. Zhang, Haihua & Yang, Dong & Tam, Vivian W.Y. & Tao, Yao & Zhang, Guomin & Setunge, Sujeeva & Shi, Long, 2021. "A critical review of combined natural ventilation techniques in sustainable buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    4. Montazeri, H. & Montazeri, F., 2018. "CFD simulation of cross-ventilation in buildings using rooftop wind-catchers: Impact of outlet openings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 502-520.
    5. Ahmed, Tariq & Kumar, Prashant & Mottet, Laetitia, 2021. "Natural ventilation in warm climates: The challenges of thermal comfort, heatwave resilience and indoor air quality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Kang, Daeho & Strand, Richard K., 2018. "Performance control of a spray passive down-draft evaporative cooling system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 915-931.
    7. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2016. "A passive cooling wind catcher with heat pipe technology: CFD, wind tunnel and field-test analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 460-471.
    8. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & O’Connor, Dominic & Shahzad, Sally Salome, 2017. "Numerical and experimental analysis of a multi-directional wind tower integrated with vertically-arranged heat transfer devices (VHTD)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1120-1135.
    9. Kang, Daeho & Strand, Richard K., 2016. "Significance of parameters affecting the performance of a passive down-draft evaporative cooling (PDEC) tower with a spray system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 269-280.
    10. Hughes, Ben Richard & Calautit, John Kaiser & Ghani, Saud Abdul, 2012. "The development of commercial wind towers for natural ventilation: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 606-627.
    11. Heidari, Sahar & Poshtiri, Amin Haghighi & Gilvaei, Zoleikha Moghtader, 2024. "Enhancing thermal comfort and natural ventilation in residential buildings: A design and assessment of an integrated system with horizontal windcatcher and evaporative cooling channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    12. Liu, Miaomiao & Nejat, Payam & Cao, Pinlu & Jimenez-Bescos, Carlos & Calautit, John Kaiser, 2024. "A critical review of windcatcher ventilation: Micro-environment, techno-economics, and commercialisation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    13. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Nasir, Diana SNM, 2017. "Climatic analysis of a passive cooling technology for the built environment in hot countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 321-335.
    14. Payam Nejat & Fatemeh Jomehzadeh & Hasanen Mohammed Hussen & John Kaiser Calautit & Muhd Zaimi Abd Majid, 2018. "Application of Wind as a Renewable Energy Source for Passive Cooling through Windcatchers Integrated with Wing Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, September.
    15. Saadatian, Omidreza & Haw, Lim Chin & Sopian, K. & Sulaiman, M.Y., 2012. "Review of windcatcher technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1477-1495.
    16. Madjid Soltani & Alireza Dehghani-Sanij & Ahmad Sayadnia & Farshad M. Kashkooli & Kobra Gharali & SeyedBijan Mahbaz & Maurice B. Dusseault, 2018. "Investigation of Airflow Patterns in a New Design of Wind Tower with a Wetted Surface," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-23, April.
    17. Rezaeian, M. & Montazeri, H. & Loonen, R.C.G.M., 2017. "Science foresight using life-cycle analysis, text mining and clustering: A case study on natural ventilation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 270-280.
    18. Moghtader Gilvaei, Zoleikha & Haghighi Poshtiri, Amin & Mirzazade Akbarpoor, Ali, 2022. "A novel passive system for providing natural ventilation and passive cooling: Evaluating thermal comfort and building energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 463-483.
    19. Calautit, John Kaiser & O'Connor, Dominic & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2016. "A natural ventilation wind tower with heat pipe heat recovery for cold climates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P3), pages 1088-1104.
    20. Afaq Hyder Chohan & Jihad Awad, 2022. "Wind Catchers: An Element of Passive Ventilation in Hot, Arid and Humid Regions, a Comparative Analysis of Their Design and Function," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:168:y:2021:i:c:p:1344-1363. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.